Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault

The Drugs

Street names: "Grievous body harm", "easy lay", "Liquid Ecstasy", "G", "Salty water", "Scoop", "Soap", "liquid x"
CNS depressant
Naturally occurring metabolite of GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid)
GHB is approved in the US for the treatment of narcolepsy
Chemicals that can be converted by the body into GHB include GBL (gamma- butyrolactone) and BD (1,4-butanetiol)
These chemicals are found in a number of products (labeled as cleaning agents), and often sold over the Internet and in retail stores
Illegally manufactured with variable purity and strength
Available through health food stores and bodybuilding centers
It is being used recreationally (rave and body building) and for drug-facilitated sexual assault
Liquid: colourless, odourless, salty/soapy taste
Capful $5 to $10 per dose
Effect within 15 to 30 minutes, lasts 3 to 6 hours, depending on dosage and purity
Very dangerous: since there is only a slight difference between the dose that produces desired effect and dose that puts the user at risk
More common in Canada than Ketamine or Rohypnol®, though still believed to be relatively rare. However, drug is very easily produced, and will almost surely become more prevalent with time

Impaired judgment and euphoria
Vulnerable to toxicity
Used as a euphoriant and/or anabolic agent (it is said to enhance muscle strength and growth hormone release)
Instead of the 1 or 2 hour "buzz", the combination of alcohol and GHB result in an 8-hour "buzz" and enhances the rave experience
Also used to reduce the effects of stimulants or hallucinogens
Similar to alcohol
< 1 gram: relaxant, loss of inhibition (more sociable)
1 to 2 grams: strong feeling of relaxation and slows heart rate and respiration. It also leads to intoxication, ataxia, nystagmus, amnesia, nausea / vomiting / dizziness
2 to 4 grams: causes profound interference with motor function and speech
May cause "Drop Attacks", during which a victim will drop suddenly to the ground, unable to move or defend himself/herself while remaining conscious. (Jamieson 2001)
Loss of consciousness, coma, seizures
Depressed respiration / arrest
Death

Last Modified: September 5, 2006